by Sandi Lynn
“She won’t.”
“Yes, she will. She will eventually find out when she decides she wants to find her. Monica will tell her what happened here tonight, and Lily will hate you for it.”
“So, what you’re saying is that I should let Monica see her after everything she’s done to her?”
“You need to let Lily make that decision. It’s not for us to make. It’s her decision.”
“She’s nine years old, Alex.”
“And she’s old enough to know. You need to be grateful that Monica had the sense to leave her with you in the first place. At least she did something right. She thought about the safety of her daughter, and she knew you could give her a better life than the road she was heading down. My father never thought that way because if he did, he would have left me with the people I lived with for the six months while he was in jail. From the little I know, it sounds like she got her life together, and she made sure it was together before coming here. She can’t take Lily away from you. You made sure of that when you stripped her of her parental rights. But you need to let your daughter make her own decision about Monica. Trust me, Stefan.” I grabbed his hand. “This is the only way to do this. Lily will love you even more for it.”
“What do we do? Sit her down and tell her everything?”
“You tell her that Monica is in town and wants to see her. It’s up to Monica to tell her the reason she left her. Not yours. We’ll tell her together and we let her decide. I will be right there by your side.”
He brought his hand up and ran his fingers through his hair as he let out a sigh.
“Didn’t you tell me that mistakes can turn you into something better than you were before?” I asked.
“Why are you throwing my words back at me?”
“Because if you didn’t believe it, you wouldn’t have said it. You said Monica told you she’s been clean for four years now, right?”
“That’s what she said.”
“She will be battling that sobriety for the rest of her life. She’s doing it, and I think she deserves to see Lily because of it.”
“How are you such a forgiving person?” He brought his hand up to my cheek.
“Isn’t that why you fell in love with me?” I smirked.
“That and many more reasons.”
“Then it’s decided. We’ll sit Lily down tomorrow and have a talk with her.”
“If she decides she wants to see her, we have no way of getting in touch with Monica. Oh well, nothing we can do about that now.”
“Well, I got her phone number before we left the restaurant.”
“Of course, you did.”
“Do you still love me?” I asked as a smile crossed my lips.
“Forever and always, baby. Forever and always.” His lips brushed against mine.
Chapter 45
Stefan
I got up early and met my brothers down at the beach to go surfing before Alex and I sat Lily down and talked with her.
“Where’s Simon?” I asked.
“I don’t know. He said he’d be here,” Sam said.
“So, what happened last night?” Sebastian asked as the three of us put our boards in the water.
“We’re going to talk to Lily today and have her decide if she wants to see Monica or not.”
“You’re okay with that?” Sam asked.
“I don’t really know. Alex said it’s the right thing to do, and I trust her.”
“Hey. Why are you douchebags starting without me?” Simon put his board in the water and paddled out to us.
“You’re late,” Sebastian said.
“I know. I was waiting on some information about Monica.”
“You ran a check on her?” I asked him.
“Yeah. I did. I’m a detective. It’s what I do.” He smirked. “Plus, you know I always have your back.”
“And?”
“Everything she told you is true. She lives in Portland Maine with her husband, Mark Winters, in a three-bedroom three bath home with a golden retriever named Miley. He’s a veterinarian and she is a marketing manager for a company called Dobson Marketing Group.”
“Thanks, bro. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. What did you and Alex decide?”
“We’re going to let Lily decide if she wants to see her or not.”
“Good idea. You’re doing the right thing. Now, let’s hit some waves.”
Later that afternoon, Alex and I sat Lily down and told her about Monica. I could see the tears in her eyes, and I wanted to stop the conversation, but Alex wouldn’t let me.
“It’s okay, Dad. I want to hear more about her.”
We talked for two hours, and Lily decided she wanted to see Monica.
“Are you sure, baby girl?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll set it up.” I wiped my eyes, got up from the table and walked down to the beach.
After a few minutes, Lily walked down to where I stood and took hold of my hand.
“I know you’re upset, and I don’t want you to be. I love you, Dad, and I know you’re trying to protect me, but I’m okay, and I will be okay. I haven’t told you this, but I’ve been thinking about Mom a lot lately.”
“You have?”
“Yeah. Maddie’s cousin was over at her house, and we were talking about our parents. She doesn’t know who her father is, and she said she wants her mom to find him. That’s when I started thinking about my mom. I wanted to talk to you about it, but I didn’t know how because I didn’t want to upset you.”
I knelt in front of her and lightly gripped her arms.
“I love you so much, and I don’t ever want you to feel like you can’t talk to me or come to me about what you’re feeling. You are the most important person in my life.” I pulled her into me.
“What about Alex and Henry?”
I broke our embrace and smiled at her.
“Of course, they’re important. All three of you are.”
“We’re a family, Dad. And that’s how it’s going to stay, but I do want to see my mother. I barely have any memories of her at all. Even though she abandoned me, I forgive her because she left me with the most important person in the world. You’re my person, Dad, and you always will be.”
Tears streamed down my face as I stared into the eyes of my daughter. A nine-year-old little girl who was so brave and strong.
“And you will always be my little girl no matter how old you are.”
“I know.” She smiled. “Is it okay if I go over to Aunt Julia’s? She made apple turnovers.”
“Only if you bring me one back.” I grinned.
“I will. She said she made a lot of them.”
Opening the sliding door, I walked through the kitchen and found Alex laying down on the couch. She held her hand out and told me to come sit down as she sat up.
“Are you okay?” She rubbed the back of my neck.
“I’m okay. I called Monica and she’s coming over tomorrow afternoon. She asked if it would be okay if her husband came, and I told her yes.”
“Good boy.” She kissed my cheek. “You’re doing the right thing, Stefan.”
“I know I am, and I have you to thank for that. You were right about me looking at things in a different perspective. You were also right about something else.”
“What else was I right about?”
“Lily had been thinking about Monica lately, but she didn’t know how to talk to me about it because she said she didn’t want to upset me. She would have hated me in the years to come if I didn’t tell her about this now. She told me she forgives Monica because she left her with the most important person in the world. Did you have something to do with that?”
“She asked me not too long ago if I forgave my father for the way he treated me, and I had to stop and really think about that. I told her I did because I never would have met the two most important people in my life if it hadn’t been for how he was. She must have really thought about th
at.”
I brought her up on my lap and wrapped my arms around her.
“I love you so much, Alex, and I know I’ve said this time and time again, but I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“I can’t imagine my life without you either, Stefan.” Her lips brushed against mine.
She took my hand and placed it on her belly.
“Our son is telling you that he loves you too.” She smiled as I felt the fluttering against my hand.
The meeting with Monica went well. Better than I had expected it would. She and Lily spent some time down at the beach talking and building sandcastles together, while her husband, Mark, Alex, and I sat on the patio and talked. He was a good man, and he was good for Monica.
After Monica and Mark left, we asked Lily if she wanted to talk about her visit. She told us that she wanted to keep in touch with her when she went back to Maine, so they exchanged phone numbers. She was worried I’d disapprove, but I told her it was fine and that I was happy she wanted to.
I’d honestly never thought almost seven years later, I would be dealing with this. But I was and it was okay. If my daughter was happy, I was happy.
Night had settled in. Alex was over at Sam and Julia’s with Lily, so I grabbed my guitar and took it out on the patio along with four beers, in case my brothers wanted to join me. I strummed the chords to the song I wanted to sing to Alex the night of her birthday party. Then the accident happened, and time got away from me.
“Can I join you, bro?” Sebastian smiled as he walked over with his guitar.
“I was hoping you would.” I handed him a beer.
“Where are the other two?” Sebastian asked.
“Sam is home, but I’m not sure about Simon.”
“I saw his car in the driveway.”
“Let’s play and see if they come over.” I grinned.
We both started playing a song and within a matter of minutes, both Sam and Simon walked over with their guitars.
“You could have just texted us,” Sam said.
“Have I been summoned?” Simon smiled as he grabbed a beer from the table.
“That you have my brother.” I grinned as I strummed some chords. “I’m glad you’re all here. Next Saturday, my house. We’re painting the nursery. We’ll each take a wall, split the molding and be done in a matter of a couple hours. Easy peasy.”
“We got you, brother,” Simon said.
Chapter 46
Alex
Julia and I were in the kitchen at my house, and she was teaching me how to make apple turnovers from scratch while the boys were upstairs painting the nursery.
“Are you nervous about the birth?” Julia asked.
“Yes. I’m very nervous because I don’t have a high pain tolerance. The whole thing scares me to death.”
“You have an amazing support system and Stefan will help you through it, or you might end up hurting him.” She grinned.
“I’m going to go with the latter.” I laughed.
“Alex! My dad and uncles are throwing paint at each other in the nursery!”
“What?!” I looked at Julia and we both ran up the stairs.
When we reached the nursery, I opened the door and saw the four of them flinging paint at each other.
“What is going on in here?!” I snapped.
“Samuel!” Julia shouted. “Stop that!”
“He started it.” Sam pointed to Simon.
“The hell I did!” He laughed.
Stefan flung the paint at Sam and when he ducked, it hit me in the face. The room went silent.
“Uh-oh, Dad. You’re in trouble!”
“Baby, I’m so sorry.” He smirked as he tried to hold back the laughter. “It’s Sam’s fault he ducked.”
I walked over to the paint can, stuck my hand in it and pressed my hand against Stefan’s face.
“Okay.” He nodded his head as he stood there. “I get it. Just know how much I love you.” He took his paint brush and ran it down the front of my shirt.
I stood there and stared at the thick line of paint going down my shirt.
“You boys have had your fun,” I said. “Can you put some paint on the walls now?”
“Yeah, baby. We’ll do that right now. Right, my brothers?”
“Yeah. Sorry, Alex,” Sebastian said.
“Not!” Sam laughed as they all started flinging paint at each other again. Picking up an extra brush, I joined in and then Julia and Lily got in on the paint fight. This was my family, and I loved every one of them.
Stefan
“I can’t believe we’re going to Disneyland!” Lily shrieked as all seven of us piled in the oversized van I rented.
“I’m so excited.” Alex grinned for she had never been to Disneyland.
“You’re going to love it. I can’t wait to show you my favorite things there.” Lily smiled.
We left early in the morning to avoid the major rush hour traffic and it only took us about an hour to get there. After walking around for a bit, I looked at my watch and it was time, so I looked down at Lily and gave her a wink.
“Dad, look.” She pointed. “Can we go to Snow White’s wishing well so I can make a wish?”
“Sure, we can. Are you okay?” I glanced over at Alex as I held her hand.
“I’m great.” She smiled.
“You’re not uncomfortable, are you?”
“No. Stop worrying. If I need to stop, I’ll let you know.” She kissed my lips.
When we got to Snow White’s Grotto, the area where the wishing well was located, it was roped off, and a woman dressed as Snow White was staring down the well.
“Dad, look! It’s Snow White.” Lily beamed.
“I don’t think we can go there,” Alex said. “Why is it roped off?”
“Nah,” Sebastian said as he unhooked the rope. “We can go. If my niece wants to see Snow White and the wishing well, she’s going to.”
“Hello, princess.” Snow White smiled as she bent down in front of Lily. “Would you like to make a wish?”
“Yes!”
Snow White handed her a coin and told her to make a wish and to toss the coin in the well.
“Again, why is the area around the well roped off?” Alex whispered.
“I don’t know.”
After Lily made a wish, Snow White gave her a hug and Lily ran over and stood by Julia and her uncles.
“Would you like to make a wish, Prince Charming?” Snow White turned to me.
“I would love to.”
When Alex and I approached the well, I got down on one knee and took Alex’s hand in mine.
“Stefan, what are you doing?” she asked.
“I love you, Alessandra Clark, and you’ve made me the happiest man alive. I thought I was happy before, but then you came along and showed me what true happiness is. My wish is that you’ll grant me a happily ever after by becoming my wife.” I pulled the ring box from my pocket and flipped open the lid. “Will you marry me, Alex?”
She placed her hand over her mouth as tears filled her eyes.
“Yes, Stefan! Yes! I will marry you.”
With a smile on my face, I slipped the princess cut diamond on her finger, stood up, and hugged her tight while my family whistled and clapped.
“I can’t believe you did this.” Our lips met. “I love you so much.”
“After all, I am your prince charming, baby. Thank you for granting me my wish. I will love you forever and always.”
Lily ran over and I scooped her up and the three of us hugged.
“I’m so happy you said yes,” she said. “I knew you would.”
“Congratulations, you two.” Snow White smiled. “Beautiful ring, Prince Charming.”
“Nothing but the best for my princess.”
“Are they single?” she whispered as she looked over at my brothers.
“Just the two on the end.” I gave her a wink.
Chapter 47
Alex
We were sitting
at the family table at Four Kinds celebrating Julia’s birthday when suddenly, I felt something dripping down my leg.
“I need to go to the ladies’ room,” I said.
“Are you okay?” Stefan asked.
“I’m fine.” I smiled.
The moment I stood up from my chair, the drip I’d felt turned into a gush.
“Umm. I think my water just broke.” I looked at Stefan.
“What? You’re not due for another week.”
“What’s your point?” I cocked my head at him.
“Oh my God, you’re serious?”
“Why would I lie about that? Oh shit!” I placed my hand on my belly and immediately sat back down.
“Nope. You can’t sit down. We have to go.” He grabbed hold of my arm.
Everyone stood from their seats and Lily ran over to me.
“Does this mean Henry is coming?”
“Yes, Lily. It does.”
“Have that baby before midnight.” Julia smiled as she hugged me.
“Come on, baby. Let’s get you to the car.” Stefan held onto me as he led me out of the restaurant.
We made it to the hospital and one of the nurses took us straight up to the labor and delivery floor. After Stefan helped me change into a gown, I laid down on the bed and practiced my breathing.
“This isn’t so bad.” I smiled at him. “I can do this.”
The nurse who was hooking me up to the fetal monitor snickered.
“Just relax and I’ll be back in to check you in a bit. If you need anything, press this button.”
“Thank you.”
“By the way, are you having an epidural?” she asked.
“I don’t think I’ll need one.”
“Honey, trust me. I’ll put in for it.”
About an hour later, the contractions hit with full force, and I couldn’t help but scream.
“Make it stop.” I gripped Stefan’s hand.
“I wish I could, baby, but I can’t.”
“Get the nurse in here and tell her I want that fucking epidural now!”
“Okay. Breathe, baby. Just breathe. I’ll be right back.”
